by Scott Rhine
“Duty . . . and to subtly crow about any recent victories,” the lady said, petting the fox. “Good alcohol helps. Speaking of which, Bovinia, would you please help ladle out the adult beverage—rum punch. Donors to any charity are always more amenable after a few swigs of that.”
“Can I try some?” asked the youngest dancer.
“No. As chaperone, I cannot condone this breach—hence the term adult drink. I have placed a special children’s cup out for you at the far end of the table, the one with the straw.” And the heavy dose of flavorless alcohol from Rensalier.
“It’s not fair.”
“Young woman, society is not fair to women with the morals and rules it imposes, but as a noble wife, you must sometimes represent the very thing you despise . . . and do so with a smile.” Turning to the others, Lady Evershade warned, “Beware, ladies; the more they drink, the more men pinch and grab. That’s what the fan is for. For the first offense, you smile and say something witty. For the second, a gentle block with the fan. For the third, a soft rap on the wrist and a withering glare at one of the female members of his household. Beyond that, when he sits down next, be sure that the metal clasp of your fan is faceup, thusly. I’ve yet to administer a fifth rebuke.”
When the others were occupied, Nightglow noted her mother signing a merchant’s bill with her favorite, white, peacock quill. “How are we paying for all this, Mother?”
“Your dowry, sweetheart. Enjoy the canapés.” When her daughter blanched, Lady Evershade handed her a sealed document. “His majesty has already taken care of us. This is all hypothetical, but if his majesty does not choose you at the dance, any single Imperial man would marry you in a heartbeat for the title that goes with your hand. Hells, half the married ones would lie or kill for the privilege. If you’re wise, you won’t tell a man this until he professes his love.”
“Th-thank you, Mother.”
“One tries to plan ahead. That reminds me: have you seen the amber material that Komiko has been touting as the revolution in sex magic?”
“Yes. It’s very pretty and unbreakable. She says it holds a mana charge better than anything, and spirits can’t penetrate it.”
“The point is, his majesty is interested in it and the witch hasn’t told him yet. During the party, search the third basement for something sun-colored that his majesty can wear around his neck. Each dancer is expected to give a meaningful gift at the coronation. We can steal her thunder and add to it.”
“No one told us this tradition.”
“You were all invited to breakfast where I informed Queen Sarajah. She is adding pencil illustrations to Lord Pinetto’s book. She’s quite gifted at art. Even so, she’ll be up till all hours drawing if she’s going to make the deadline.”
“The rest of us slept in.”
“There are penalties for such choices. A lady of the first circle does not take such luxury when she has guests. You’ll remind the other dancers when you give your gift early at the dinner tonight.”
“They’ll spend all night and tomorrow morning scrambling for a gift. They’ll never find anything this late. It seems unfair.”
Lady Evershade glared at her daughter. “You’re not a child any longer. I have lost everything I have in this world except you, young lady. If the current drain on my finances continues for too long, your cousins will join me in the poorhouse.” The girl rolled her eyes at the perceived exaggeration, but her mother persisted. “This exercise and my current pain are all endured to place you to the greatest advantage. You shall comport yourself with the dignity your house deserves and do what needs to be done. I don’t want to hear the word ‘fair’ from your lips again.”
“Yes, honored Mother.”
With no girls around, Lady Evershade was free to hold court and sell her seating assignments to the highest bidder.
****
After her hundredth greeting, Komiko approached Lady Evershade. The smile on her face looked like the rictus of a stuffed macaw. “How much longer? My feet are killing me, and I’m running out of vapid small talk.”
The noblewoman swatted the comment aside with her fan. “Pish. You’ve only been here four hours. No social function worth an invitation takes less than six.”
“Two more hours of this?”
“If you leave, the women will spend the next two hours gossiping about you.”
“You hateful old harpy.”
“You’re only angry because I’m right.”
“Sadistic bitch. We have to return to the palace, wash, change, and be to the Yacht Club in two hours.”
“Less. It’ll take at least half an hour to clean up and give golden handshakes to the staff here. You’ve done such a good job you can keep the pearls. If you bear up, I’ll tell you a very interesting way you can use them with your friend. I’ve personally tipped a servant to fan Ember and keep her rum filled. If you like, I can prop her leg up just a little more so you can see her frillies from where you’re standing.”
Komiko smiled. “Fine, you’re a heinous cow, but you’re on our side.”
“I’m on the side of the emperor, child. Schooling you provides a service for the entire aristocracy.”
“So noted. Um . . . Why is Bovinia sitting on that table? Why are people gathering around her?”
“I couldn’t say; I can’t get around well,” Lady Evershade feigned helplessness. “Why don’t you take a look?”
However, the witch didn’t need to move to hear what Bovinia was bellowing to the crowd of assembled nobles. “When my father is in charge, everyone will eat beef. No more fish. Fish stinks.”
“She’s drunk off her ass,” muttered Komiko.
“Well, stop her before she embarrasses herself beyond repair,” insisted Lady Evershade.
“I can’t! Another bloody guest just arrived, and I have to go greet them.”
“I’ll try to get Nightglow’s attention. Where is that girl?”
After a complete recitation of, “What my father will do when he rules,” Bovinia slugged down another rum and announced, “I can do handstands just as well as Ember-flame-ass.” She tried to demonstrate, but knocked Lady Vapordoom into the shrimp salad.
“Sorry.”
Lady Evershade huffed and declared loudly enough for the dancers to hear, “How crude. Is there anything less appropriate she could have shared?”
On request, Bovina shouted, “Hey, I didn’t say anything about the emperor never seeing a vagina yet.” The girl blinked a few times. “Excuse me,” she said just before projectile vomiting into the punchbowl.
Servants discreetly hauled out the girl and the entire soiled table.
The chaperone rubbed her fox’s belly. “Now there’s only one real candidate, Kitten.”
Nightglow finally reappeared with a box under her arm. She brought it to her mother’s side and adjusted her dress.
“You’re out of breath, dear.”
Nightglow’s eyes found the dashing form of Niftkin as he left the basement a full bit after her. “Moving and carrying heavy boxes can exhaust a woman.”
“Always keep a man around for the heavy lifting, dear. A woman should remain pristine and inspire others to sweat for her.” Lady Evershade fussed with her daughter’s hair, attempting to put everything back into place.
“I shall endeavor to follow that advice, Mother.”
She handed the girl the key to their Center estate and a signet ring. “Have our servants wrap the gift and write a personal message with our family seal affixed.”
“You’ve never trusted me with these before,” Nightglow said, in awe.
“You need practice with authority. Between now and the Dance, my time is filled with the emperor’s needs. You need to be the public face of our family and gain the approval of the aristocracy in your own right.” Lady Evershade licked her lips. “Ask yourself, how would an empress behave in this situation?”
Komiko was spared continued greeting when a runner came in to announce, “A merchant ship from
Reneau has appeared on the horizon. It’s heading for the harbor.”
Everyone poured out so they could circle to the other side of the island. “Go,” Lady Evershade told the dancers. “I’ll handle the cleanup.”
****
Lady Evershade didn’t hear about the disaster until Lord Duwara escorted her into the chapel at the Yacht Club. “Where’s your fox?”
She joked, “I regret having to leave Kitten at home, but he bit one of the drunks at the party and isn’t feeling well. He kept giving me his opinion of how nobles smell.”
Duwara guffawed. “A sharp wit. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree with you.”
“I have always thought so, but to what specific regard do you refer?”
“That ship turned out to be full of orphans. The decks were packed with tiny bodies, and they hadn’t eaten in three days. The blackguard captain, one of the Pretender’s henchmen, waited until they reached the center of our harbor and foundered his own ship.”
“Horrible,” she feigned, covering her mouth.
“The Pretender thinks this gift will cause us strife and drain our resources during his siege. Perhaps he felt the disaster would grieve the emperor. However, Nightglow rallied the members of the Yacht Club to rescue the children before they sank. Then she ordered three of your family’s vessels to tie themselves to the wreck and keep it afloat.”
“All three?” she asked in real horror. Those three still had cargo she’d hoped to salvage.
“I think she got the idea from our Niftkin. We had a ferry capsizing a few years ago and his parent helped prevent that the same way. Of course, the merchant ships were bigger. They’re a bit damaged, but it worked—all the children made it off safely. The young lady volunteered your family estate to house them until we find homes for all of them. You must be so proud of her.”
Tears rolled down Lady Evershade’s face from the sheer cost. “Truly,” she said when she could speak again. “I cannot imagine a greater source of pride.”
Sitting next to her in the front pew, Anna whispered, “Did you hear the good news?”
Fresh tears flowing at her ruin, Lady Evershade nodded.
Anna sighed. “Good, I was worried we wouldn’t have room for the new one.”
“I’m sorry. New what?”
“Dancer. The oldest orphan was a gorgeous Babliosian-Imperial mix—Majah. Her name means ‘little mother.’ Her heroism saved most of the children. The emperor gave her a dance ticket on the spot.”
Lady Evershade clutched her chest and panted. “My joy is complete. Maybe she could share my room.”
“Don’t be absurd. We don’t want to give her a bad impression her first night. No, maybe Bovinia can share.”
“I shouldn’t think that her father will allow Bovinia to return anytime soon. She snuck some adult beverages at the party and made a small scene.”
“How small?”
“In addition to telling the truth about her father’s political ambitions, she used the V word in public.” The happy memory stemmed the tears for a moment.
Lord Duwara leaned over. “Don’t forget showing her knickers, kicking the senior Councilman’s wife, and decorating the buffet with used liquor.”
Anna covered her face to hide the smile. She turned to Lady Evershade. “You wicked vixen.”
Lady Evershade raised her chin. “This was the girl’s choice; ask anyone. She did everything I explicitly ordered her not to do.”
“I’m glad you’re on our side,” Anna muttered.
“What does she mean?” asked Duwara.
“Her side of the aisle, so she can catch up with all the gossip. Go make yourself useful and tell the servers no shrimp with orange sauce. After the incident this afternoon, no one will want it.” When the man left, the noblewoman whispered, “If you please, refrain from liking me so publicly; I have a reputation to uphold.”
“Would it help if I called you a bitch to my dinner partners?”
“Yes, it would, but I put you at the children’s table tonight . . . to show everyone how good you are with them.”
“Does Pagaose know how evil you are?”
The noblewoman fanned herself as she watched the clergy file in to practice. “I’m eminently useful. That trumps nice in the game of ruling. What’s more, I give him something you never could.” When Anna snorted, she continued. “I’ve killed for him and won’t hesitate to do so again. He knows my priorities. My lands and property have been given over today to his favorite charity. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for him.”
Anna searched her face. “I believe you. That’s the only reason I can sit next to you without needing to bathe afterwards.”
“I’m not sure I can say the same,” Lady Evershade said, distantly. Offended, Anna traded seats with Ember. You misunderstand. I meant even I cannot tolerate my behavior. But she said nothing, deeming scorn to be better than pity.
Chapter 29 – The Crown
Windsday night, during the first course of the feast, the members of the magic class chatted with Pinetto. Only five of the men, plus Komiko, had succeeded in their homework—visualizing the shape while energizing their three-point ward.
The wizard commented, “I like Komiko’s idea of using slabs of the Emperor’s Road from the museum. It’s a great magic conductor. Maybe your class could do more experiments. Be sure to keep careful notes so we can find out why only half were successful . . . for the sake of science.”
“I have smaller, round stones in my zoo that the animals slept on . . .” Pagaose continued the dialogue, but his guard was distracted by a flutter on his hand.
Nightglow passed a note to Niftkin under the table: ‘Want to be lucky number seven?’
Pagaose caught him reading the note. “What’s our good dancer have to say?”
Panicked, the head guard stood up and clinked his glass. He ad-libbed. “Hear ye, hear ye, Lady Nightglow Evershade wishes to present her gift to his highness Pagaose.”
Nightglow clapped her hands and a servant brought a box bundled to look like a sofa cushion and then tied with several bows.
“I won’t be official till tomorrow,” Pagaose insisted.
“You already rule my house, sire,” said the young woman, bowing.
He opened the elaborate wrapping to reveal a central, amber soup bowl surrounded by six amber teacups, which were hooked to it. He unscrewed a cap of the same material and replaced it. “A punch set?”
“The arrangement represents the sun, sire, your symbol. The material is called Sacred Amber, and like your reign, it is unbreakable. Try it with your rod of office.”
He clinked the steel against a cup with no cracks. “Impressive.”
“Alchemy, sire. Elements mixed and transformed to something more than the sum of the parts.”
He smiled, and the audience applauded. “It’s a bit large to wear around my neck.”
“Because this isn’t for decoration, sire,” explained Komiko. “It’s for sex magic. There’s one cup for each kingdom and the bowl for the Inner Islands.”
Nightglow added, “These are the largest pieces of this material we could find, sire. The gift is from all of us and represents our unity in wishing you a long and fruitful reign.”
The emperor inclined his head in thanks. Lady Evershade ground her teeth and tried to escape out the back door to rage in solitude. However, Niftkin signaled the guards to prevent her because Pagaose rose from his seat to address the crowd. No one was permitted to turn their back on his majesty when he was speaking. “I thank you all for your support. I strive ever to be worthy of your tribute and trust. I take as my model the Evershades, who have taken in Majah and a hundred little ones cast out of the north. I am humbled by their example.”
All eyes turned to the noblewoman as Pagaose gestured to her. She plastered a smile on her face.
“I discovered today that the Dance is more than a marriage rite; it is a demonstration of the give and take between the ruler and the ruled. One is incomple
te without the other. Only together can they give birth to the future. Tomorrow morning, I take the empire as my bride.”
Lady Evershade clapped loudest of all.
Nightglow and Niftkin volunteered to carry the valuable gift back to the royal bedchambers and didn’t reappear until the very end of the three-and-a-half-hour meal. Only Pagaose noticed that the girl’s traditional face veil was missing, with a smile taking its place.
****
That night, the emperor could not sleep. He paced the throne room, wondering for the hundredth time if he was smart enough and powerful enough to pull all of this off, to challenge the gods. Hours past midnight, Sarajah tapped at the door. “Permission to approach, highness?”
Pagaose waved her in. “My robes tomorrow will weigh more than those orphans who hugged me yesterday. I shall feel as if an orangutan is riding my shoulders.”
She grinned at the analogy.
“Are you ready for your trip?” he inquired.
“No, but the others are. I have no idea what orangutan will be in my own kingdom. This is for you, from all of us who fought with you at the Battle of the Falls.”
She offered a thin book, bound with a simple ribbon.
“More early presents? Should I wait to open it with the others?”
Sarajah shook her head rapidly. “This is a private gift. The writing is Pinetto’s, attempting in the dullest manner possible to explain his theory and practice of the six-point ward. He calls it the hexagram. Tashi calls it the sexagram.”
The emperor chuckled.
“Tashi purchased the highest-quality material for us and gave me the time to draw. The illustrations of the suggested positions are mine.”
He opened the pages and instantly recognized the naked, female model. On a loose-leaf page, he saw her face tipped back in pleasure—Lady Evershade. He couldn’t speak the name, but his finger caressed her neck on the page. “Thank you, Queen Sarajah. This shall be one of my most treasured possessions. How did you do this so quickly?”
She smiled. “I was sketching her as a card even before I knew who she was.”
The caption at the bottom of the page read: ‘The Secret Heart.’ The likeness was so realistic it made him shiver. “But it is not to be.”